WAYNE Brown insists the anguish of missing out on promotion will drive his Maldon and Tiptree players on next season.

The Jammers are preparing for another campaign in Bostik League division north, after suffering the frustration of losing their play-off final to neighbours Heybridge Swifts earlier this month.

It was an agonising way to finish what was otherwise an impressive season but boss Brown says they can use that agony to their advantage, next time around.

Brown said: “We don’t need any extra encouragement or belief to try and get promoted, next season.

“We know that we’ve done well but it makes me more determined to be successful and get Maldon out of this league.

“I’m sure there’ll be a few coming in and a few going out – that’s the nature of the best.

“But I’ve asked them all to come back for pre-season and we’ll be looking to keep the core of the squad together for next season.

“As a manager, you’re always on the phone and the hard work starts straight away, with putting a pre-season together and the squad, as they will be one or two ins and outs.”

Brown has just completed his first-ever season in non-league management, having taken over from Kevin Horlock in the Maldon hot seat last summer.

The former Colchester United defender was left with a threadbare squad when he took charge due to player departures but says he enjoyed his maiden campaign at the helm.

He said: “Last year, I was going in blind but on the other hand, I’d been watching Maldon for a number of years since the relationship with Colchester.

“You can’t replicate the experiences that you get as a manager, things like having to deal with the standard of referees, opposition staff and what you have to absorb on a day to day basis including the standard of player you come against us, which has been a bit of an eye opener for me.

“The money that is available at this level has certainly opened my eyes to things when you’re having to compete with teams with big budgets.

“For me it’s been interesting and a really good learning curve for me as an individual.

“We started by getting a team together after having only four players initially and it was a big test but I’ve enjoyed it.

“I think as the season has gone, we got stronger as a group.”

Maldon continued their alliance with Colchester this season, with a number of U’s youngsters such as Ollie Kensdale and Decarrey Sheriff representing the Jammers.

That is set to continue again in the 2019-20 campaign and Brown says it is a profitable relationship.

“It’s been beneficial for both Maldon and Colchester United,” he added.

“Having Colchester’s under-18 players playing for Maldon has been a massive plus, in terms of taking things forward.”